Book Review of "Deepening Community: Finding Joy Together in Chaotic Times," by Paul Born, 2014. San Francisco: Berrett-Koehler Publishers, paper, pages.
I recommend this book wholeheartedly...
Such a very timely book! We need help understanding the how and why of communities right now!
Paul Born provides a great deal of good information in this short text that can be used by social workers, street helpers, educators, and more persons who need to understand how things are organized. He shows some great theoretical ways to divide and group and more… regarding all pieces of the puzzle. I applaud the author for explaining different types of communities, different levels of commitment to the community, and his own challenges moving to a new city and learning how to enter into a new group of neighbors as a leader.
Born does a fantastic job of showing the characteristics and strategies of five different types of communities, ranging from self-centered ones where the individual focuses on survival to all-inclusive ones where sharing and giving are at the core of daily activities.
A Mennonite, Born shares his family’s history and his own journey through different neighborhoods and through his coming to understand how different people function as part of or not part of a community. The author explains why his people have stood together so tightly to help one another and how they have also helped others who are not Mennonites. This firm basis in one culture and acceptance and love of outsiders is part of an interesting and revealing story of belonging to something greater.
Social workers and teachers are natural givers, organizers, and leaders. I think it is important for them to read this book.
Reading Deepening Community can give us the vocabulary we as educators might be seeking to explain how and why we contribute to others, volunteer for causes, and work hard every day to bring about positive change. Born shows in this well-written book the kinds of projects that attract educators and keep us busy all school year and for most of us all summer long also.
Why do individuals embrace communities? People come together because of shared language and culture, like jobs, block parties and similar hobbies or vocations in a town. How do we go from being self-centered and suspicious to becoming community-oriented and more purposeful as citizens? The author explains clearly why.
Born reminds us that “seeking community is part of our spiritual journey” and that seeking community is natural.” He not only shows us his explanations of the five different community orientations he has suggested. He also shows us what is involved in them. Born reminds us: “whenever we are together with other people, belonging can emerge.”
I recommend this book wholeheartedly and hope many people will choose to read it. It is clear and straightforward. The five categories of community engagement are also very good, and we can think of so many people who fit each type, most likely. The book is clever in its description of interesting projects that have been successful in bringing people together. The book is beautiful because of its description of the spiritual side of community building and sharing. The book also paints a hopeful picture. I insist educators will enjoy the book and will see themselves in it.
Though our personalities, talents, and backgrounds differ, most of us educators are devoted to “making a difference” and to teaching our students instead of somebody else’s content. I think it is crucial we continue to read books like this one to better understand ourselves and look at some of the wise words we can use to explain what it is we are always doing.
Social workers understand the notion of community by looking to sociology and its theories of different groups, alliances, and aggregates.
For non-educators, our world may seem strange and foreign. But for educators, we really do understand why our colleagues volunteer at a food pantry, tutor for free on Saturdays, and actually talk and joke with our neighbors.
This could be an interesting summer reading selection or good for reading at a retreat for community college personnel. We could have great discussions--not only about what they are currently doing to help others but also on ideas they explore through sharing and brainstorming. I would really enjoy being part of such discussions in a roomful of educators!
In these challenging times when America is at great risk of losing its democracy, it is essential to get a firm grip on what a community is—and how we can protect it!